About Dance Studios

Dance studios are essential to both professional, amateur and casual dancers. They provide an ideal space for people to practice their skills and try out new routines. Though they may be plentiful in your area, you'll want to be sure to check with the front desk about the studio's programs, skill levels and goals before signing up for a random dance class at your corner studio.

Function

A dance studio is a functional space that is used for dance lessons, rehearsal practices and dance auditions. The space can also be used for private lessons or as a private practice space for individuals who are training for a specific event or role and have obtained the owner's permission to utilize the space after hours. This is a common function of dance studios, as it can be difficult to find a comparable practice space in one's home or in public.

Features

Dance studios have wide-open spaces that provide optimum room for dancers to maneuver. The space needs to be long and wide enough to allow an entire class to practice a routine, or a solo artist to utilize the space as a stage. Dance studios have srpung hardwood floors, which provide a smooth surface for gliding and dancing that can absorb some of the shock from a dancer's jumps. Dance or ballet bars, commonly referred to as barres, are usually installed alongside the studio's dominant wall. The dominant wall is usually the widest wall of the room. It will also contain a mirror that all the dancers face, which allows them to observe their movements, form and technique. Some type of sound system is usually provided as well, whether that be speakers for a stereo, an in-studio sound system or a piano.

Geography

New York, California, Texas and Florida contain the most dance studios. This is likely due to the states' large populations, numerous metropolitan areas, and entertainment and media industries. The South is also populated with many dance studios, especially in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Michigan, New Mexico and Connecticut also have a large amount of dance studios compared to their populations.

Types

Dance studios typically hold practices for upcoming performances or competitions or private and group lessons for the average person who simply wants to learn a skill. On the competition and performance side, ballet, salsa, jazz, hip hop, modern, ballroom, tap, contemporary and Irish step dancing are some of the most common dance styles practiced. On the recreational side, many dance studios may teach styles of dance, such as belly, square or swing (East and West Coast) dancing, or they may specialize in one specific dance or step, such as the foxtrot, paso doble, lindy hop, country line dance, cha cha or the Viennese waltz.

Considerations

Most people who participate in competitions or performances at the adult age are novice or professional dancers who took up this activity at a very young age. Many children who go on to compete begin practicing dance at the age of 3 and virtually grow up in dance studios. Many dance studios are also associated with a dance academy or club, meaning that people who want to dance at their studio may need to audition before being admitted to a certain program. The same is true for intermediate or advanced classes. Many dance instructors or studio owners will make you audition to ensure that your skill set is up to par. If you want to take up dancing as a leisure activity, find a dance studio in your area that has ongoing classes at all skill levels. The Arthur Murray Studios has dance studios in most states, and many community centers, senior centers and gyms also hold recreational classes, though these are not always held in dance studios.